The first
F-5A Freedom Fighter single-seat light-fighter prototype flew in May
1963 and went on to form the basis of a major warplane family.
Canadair built the CF-5A/Ds and NF-5A/Bs for the Canadian and Dutch
air force respectively; the survivors of these fleets are finding a
ready resale market to countries including Botswana, Turkey and
Venezuela. In addition, South Korea, Brazil, Greece, Iran, Morocco,
Norway, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,
Venezuela and Yemen all currently operate first generation F-5s.
Venezuela's VF-5A/Ds have received a limited upgrade by Singapore
Technologies Aerospace.

The improved F-5E/F Tiger II was developed
from the F-5A/B as an International Fighter Aircraft for sale to US
allies. The F-5E prototype first flew in August 1972 and was
followed by some 1 300 production F-5Es and two-seat F-5Fs for sale
to 20 air forces. The F-5E was also assembled under license in
Taiwan and South Korea. Tiger IIs remain in widespread service with
Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya,
Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan,
Thailand, Tunisia, US Marine Corps and US Navy and Yemen.

Numerous
update programmes are available to keep this important warplane
viable until well into the 21st century. These upgrades offer a mix
of new avionics and structural refurbishment of the airframe. Chile
operates F-5Es upgraded with Israeli assistance to Tiger III
standard; their advanced avionics - including Elta 2032 radar and
hands on stick ant throttle controls - give a level of combat capability matching that of
the F-16. The FIAR Grifo F/X Plus multimode radar has been fitted to
Singaporean F-5S aircraft and has also been selected for Brazil's
F-5Es. US-based TCA is offering to re-manufacture projected demand
for cost-effective lead-in fighter trainers.